How Pretty is Your Cross?

Quite often, we hear that ‘God has a plan and a purpose for our lives’ … ‘don’t settle for less when God wants to give you more’, and other quotes like this.

This kind of teaching is often taught in place of repentance to the unsaved.

By saying this, they seem to be suggesting that where people are erring is in the fact that they are not living their best life that God has planned for them. There is no mention of sin, just that God has better.

It’s sad that the gospel has been reduced to nothing more than something that sounds like a pyramid marketing sales pitch. ‘Welcome to the club, we look forward to seeing how Jesus blesses you!’

I agree though, God has something special reserved for His saints. A plan and purpose the Bible spells out is this;

– Preach the gospel (Mark 16:15)
– Take up your cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23)
– Deny yourself daily (Luke 9:23)
– Die to yourself (Galatians 5:24, Galatians 2:20)
– Suffer persecution for His name’s sake (2 Timothy 3:14)
– Set your mind on things above, not earthly things that perish (Colossians 3:2)
– Choose to worship God, not money - because you can’t do both (Matthew 6:24)
– If you are blessed with abundance, share it with the needy! (1 Timothy 6: 17-19)
– There may be a time when you will have to die for your faith – fear not! (Luke 12:4)

If you’ve fallen victim to the ‘live your best life now’ lie, you’re not the only one. However, a simple examination of the Bible will reveal that what you are being told cannot be backed up with the Word of God.

It is interesting to note that whilst the western world are praising the new and improved Jesus product, there are millions of Christians suffering around the world who are not living their best life now, according to the new standards of the new Jesus. As we speak, some are in prison for their faith, some are being persecuted, some are poor and some are being martyred.

Should we tell them that Jesus has more for them? More wealth, a successful career and sky’s the limit with all their dreams that they want to come to pass? Maybe they should be believing and speaking out positive sayings so that they will draw riches like a magnet ... some of what is being taught and accepted as truth in churches today.

Or maybe, just maybe, they are actually living the plan and purpose that God has for them and is written in the Word.

The Bible warns us not to accept a different Jesus or a different gospel. Another Jesus is not Jesus at all, and has no power to save. In fact, this is called idolatry.

2 Corinthians 11:4

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

There is nothing more beautiful that the real Jesus and the real gospel. The truth is better than good!

Bless you as you seek Him for truth and the plan and purpose that God has for you. A plan that is eternal and will never fade.